New dug-out duo have a wealth of experience
Holmes and Crawford take the reins at Wishaw
Wishaw have secured a wealth of playing experience at senior level with the appointments of manager Derek Holmes and Brian Crawford as assistant.
The new dug-out duo met the players at training on Monday night, as they prepare for a tilt at the Scottish Junior Cup fourth round tie at home to Forth Wanderers.
Derek signed for Hearts in 1995 and spent a loan period at Cowdenbeath.
He returned to Tynecastle and went into the first-team, playing against Real Mallorca in the 1998-99 European Cupwinners’ Cup.
Holmes moved to Ross County in a £50,000 deal and went on to gain experience in English football with Bournemouth, Carlisle United and Rotherham United, before returning north to play for St Johnstone and Queen of the South.
Brian Crawford played senior football for several clubs, including Stenhousemuir and Stranraer.
But he is perhaps better known in junior circles for scoring 32 goals in 26 games while at Shotts Bon Accord in 2005. Derek said: “I’m a local boy. I live in the town itself, so when the opportunity arose I thought I could qualify for the post.
“I’ve always wanted to get into coaching, so I saw this as a great opportunity for myself to try and improve what I’ve done as a player – to improve as a coach.
“Forth Wanderers in the Scottish Junior Cup is a big game to come into – hopefully the game will be on, as it has been off a few times,
“But if it is played it will just take care of itself.”
Holmes added: “Training this week is for getting used to the players, the players getting used to myself and Brian, so Saturday’s game will just take care of itself. The boys will go out and enjoy themselves.
“They have been doing really well, so if the boys play to their abilities, play the way they can, then I don’t see any reason why they can’t win the game.”
When Saturday’s cup tie was postponed following heavy overnight rain, interim manager Rab Sneddon took the squad to Dalziel Park to play Thorniewood United in a friendly, with Paul Mcgeoch scoring the only goal for Wishaw.
I have always wanted to get into coaching, so I saw this as a great opportunity